Sarasawti Puja vidhi and mantra

Devi Saraswati Puja vidhi

Goddess Saraswati who is considered as the goddess of knowledge and arts is worshipped during Diwali Puja, Navratri Saraswati Puja and Vasant Panchami. In Gujarat, Saraswati Puja during Diwali is also known as Sharda Puja and Chopda Puja

To begin Saraswati Puja, Bahi-Khate i.e. account books are kept at the place of worship. A Swastika symbol should be drawn on account books with Rochana or red Sandal paste. Once Swastika is drawn on account books, Saraswati Puja can begin

1. Dhyan Mantra

Puja should begin with the meditation of Bhagawati Saraswati. Dhyana should be done in front of Bahi-Khate symbolically representing Goddess Saraswati. Following Mantra should be chanted while meditating on Bhagawati Saraswati-

Ya Kundendu-Tushara-Hara-Dhavala, Ya Shubhra-Vastravrita,

Ya Vina-Vara-Danda-Mandita-Kara, Ya Shveta-Padmasana॥

Ya Brahmachyuta-Shankara-Prabhritirdevaih Sada Vandita,

Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagawati Nihshesha-Jadyapaha॥

2. Avahan mantra

After Dhyanam of Bhagwati Saraswati, invoke Her in front of Bahi-Khate with following Mantra. While calling Bhagwati Saraswati your hands should be in Avahan Mudra in front of Bahi-Khate (Avahan Mudra is formed by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards)-

Agachchha Deva-Deveshi! Tejomayi Saraswati!

Kriyamanam Maya Pujam, Grihana Sura-Vandite!

॥Shri Saraswati-Devim Avahayami॥

3.Puspanjali Mantra (1)

Once Bhagwati Saraswati has come after invoking, take five flowers in Anjali (by joining palm of both hands) and leave them in front or near Bahi-Khate to offer the seat to Bhagwati Saraswati while chanting following Mantra-

Nana-Ratna-Samayuktam, Karta-Swara-Vibhushitam।

Asanam Deva-Deveshi! Prityartham Prati-Grihyatam॥

॥Shri Saraswati-Devyai Asnarthe Pancha-Pushpani Samarpayami॥ 

4.Puspanjali Mantra(2)

After this perform Bhagwati Saraswati Puja with Chandan, Akshata, Pushpa, Dhoop, Deep and Naivedhya while chanting following Mantras

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Shirasi Arghyam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Gandhakshatam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Pushpam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Dhupam Ghrapayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Dipam Darshayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Naivedyam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Achamaniyam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Saraswati-Devyai Namah Tambulam Samarpayami।

5.Puspanjali Mantra(3)

Jai jai devi!  Chara char sare |
Kucho jugo shovito mukta hare ||
Bina pustak ranjit haste |

Vagabati bharti devi namaste ||

6.Pranam Mantra

After doing Pujan as described above, take Gandha, Akshata and Pushpa in left hand and leave them over or near Bahi-Khate with right hand while chanting following Mantra-

Om Shri Saraswatyai Namah। Anena Pujanena Shri Saraswati Devi Priyatam। Namo Namah।